Rumour: Novak Set For Portuguese Side Clube Condeixa

Portuguese media is reporting that Forge FC striker Anthony Novak is arriving to Portuguese third division side Clube Condeixa for the remainder of the 2021 Campeonato de Portugal season.

This season will run through to May, which means that Novak could potentially return to the reigning Canadian Premier League champions ahead of the season’s tentative Victoria Day Long Weekend kickoff date.

The move would, however, mean that he would likely be absent for the club’s Canadian Championship Final against Toronto FC, which still does not have a confirmed date.

The 26-year-old striker is coming off a title winning season with Forge FC, with Novak scoring nine goals across 36 appearances for the Hamilton-based club overall. Yesterday, he made a social media post showing that he had boarded a flight for Frankfurt – a common layover for Canadians en route to Portugal.

He contributed two goals in eight appearances at The Island Games, with Concacaf League action seeing the striker deliver a well-taken game-winning goal against CD Limeno and contribute an assist in an underdog victory against Tauro FC.

Portuguese media outlet Record is reporting that Novak has signed a deal that runs until the end of the season, which marks his first time playing outside of Ontario. The outlet reports that Clube Condeixa head coach Rui Amorim played a big part in convincing the striker to ply his trade overseas.

Prior to signing with Forge FC shortly before the league’s inaugural match, Novak was a standout League1 Ontario athlete who contributed 28 goals in 39 appearances for Blue Devils FC. He nearly left the beautiful game behind to join the army before signing his first pro contract.

While the move isn’t confirmed, he wouldn’t be the only Forge FC athlete to test his mettle overseas this offseason: crucial centre-back Daniel Krutzen recently returned to Canada following multiple trials in Sweden.

Forge FC has begun re-signing several key inaugural squad roster members, with head coach Bobby Smyrniotis stating that he wanted to keep the bulk of his roster and sprinkle in a few new players. The club has retained eight players so far, including team captain Kyle Bekker and Golden Glove winner Triston Henry.

The club announced it has re-signed Maxim Tissot, Monti Mohsen, and Baj Maan this morning.

This post is based on initial reports from Portuguese media and the move is not confirmed as of yet.